Renowned for her mastery in ceramic painting, artist Eun-Kyung Kim is holding her solo exhibition Songs of Happiness at The Star Gallery (37-1 Insadong-gil, Seoul).
The exhibition opened on May 28 of 2025 and runs until june 2, offering collectors and visitors a chance to view — and purchase — her unique works.
For this show, Kim has captured Korea’s beloved native bird, the long-tailed tit (Heunmeori Omoknuni), on porcelain panels.
Using the demanding reduction firing technique in a gas kiln, she layers drawing, glazing, and controlled fire to achieve subtle depth and luminous color.
Unlike the electric kiln method, which allows automated firing, the gas kiln requires the artist to tend the flames throughout the process — a labor-intensive technique historically associated with Goryeo celadon.
What makes this exhibition especially captivating is Kim’s ability to deliver themes with clarity, warmth, and symbolic resonance.
The long-tailed tit, known to inhabit Chuncheon in Gangwon Province, is cherished as a symbol of happiness and good fortune.
In Kim’s hands, the bird takes on a whimsical yet profound transformation: each is adorned with a traditional Joseon-era hat, ranging from the king’s crown to the queen’s ceremonial headwear.
This playful yet meticulous detail offers more than visual delight — it conveys a message of coexistence and equality across social classes, showing how diverse identities can share space in harmony.
Kim’s realistic rendering of the cheerful long-tailed tit is masterful, but it is her decision to crown them with historical headpieces that leaves a lasting impression.
The result is an exhibition that not only showcases technical excellence but also stirs collectors’ desire by embodying joy, balance, and timeless beauty.
Having begun her ceramic painting journey in 2018, Kim continues to work from her studio in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Visitors to Songs of Happiness at The Star Gallery will discover works that embody both Korea’s artistic heritage and a contemporary vision of harmony.
